After reflecting on the Genocide in Rwanda we ventured up the mountains to Volcanes National Park. We traveled another 2/3 hours to the guest house at the base of the National Park. It was a beautiful drive through the hills of Rwanda. The hills are a beautiful green and it is fascinating how Rwandans carve foundations out for their homes. Farming is all along the hills fill with a variety of crops. They receive much more water than we do in Tanzania. The other item to take notice of is how much colder it was getting! We arrived in Musanze then took a piki-piki (motorcycle) to the guest house. It was a cozy place to lay our heads to be ready first thing the next morning for GORILLAS!
We met some additional great people who just finished the trek. They gave us pointers before we wondered off to bed. Diane Fossey is the well known Californian who studied the Gorillas. The movie "Gorilla's in the Mist" was filled of this side of the mountain. The Susa Family is the group of gorillas that we were told we should try to see which received their name from Fossey. It popularity is also because it is one of the larger families, has three silverbacks, and babies! This family is also dwelling closer than usual so we were on the mission to meet the Susa Family.
We arrived at the park entrance about 7am. It was pouring raining! When they say in the midst they mean it. It was as if a cloud was resting over our area. There was a midst and a haze to most of the early morning. We were organized in our groups and given our guides. Trackers are also sent ahead of you as well. We then drove another hour and half to our walking point up the mountain. It began to stop raining quite so hard but the air was cool.
We set off on our venture and I was amazed at how high we were going! Eventually I think we climbed to about 16 thousand feet. I even got a little altitude sickness put recovered quickly with a break. We passed through villages and farms. I could hear the amazing voices of the Rwandan believers in a small church tucked in the side of the mountain. There was even a song I knew and sung right along with them as their voices rang on the mountain side. Almost like a tree line we hit a rim to the mountain but instead of being bear became the jungle/rainforest. We were given a last few instructions and told the gorillas were not far. We are still climbing up at this point only now through the thicket of jungle trying not to slip on the rain drenched ground. Bamboo was everywhere! We even tried some to see if the gorillas have good taste! Nothing could quite prepare me for the sites around the next big set of leaves. First, was the Alpha Silverback sitting on the ground diligently picking at something on his arm. He studied it for a long time then looked over at us. He didn't seem to bothered and all of us were to in to the moment to even take pictures. We were so close and to study these magnificent creatures took all that we had. Two more Silverbacks were behind him as we became more aware of our surroundings. As we climbed just a little further the rest of the family was playing, eating, and relaxing. We tried to steady ourselves on the side of the mountain as we planted to observe. Our guides kept making gorilla noises talking to them I guess to create a peaceful environment. The mommas were on the ground with several babies around. The babies were just so cute and at times didn't even seem real. The biggest hoot were the ones in the trees. They would climb and shimmy down so fast. There were two in the top of the tree like a teder-totter just looking over the mountains along with us. A couple were trying to pull more bamboo out of the ground and others were just snacking away pulling on the greens around them.
There were a couple of festive gorillas. There was one that kept getting closer and closer. He would pretend to not look at us while posing at the same time for pictures. You will be able to tell who I am talking about I am sure in the slideshow below. She kept laying back with her hands behind her head just chill-in! There was another one who was so happy to see us she beat on her chest. My friend got a little rattled by it but they said they do that when they are happy! I wish that I could paint the picture of what this is like. I found this to be even more exciting than being in the bush spotting animals. No fence, gate, wall, or car. Just us and these amazing creatures. Our God indeed is an amazing creator and I am thankful to have a greater understanding of that. I hope that you enjoy the slideshow below. Pictures are wonderful and help as I share life along this journey but they sometimes don't do it quite justice. Simply fascinating...
Wazungu in the Mist!
After our Gorilla Trekking we traveled back down the mountain. Then, prepared for our long day venture back across the border to Mwanza Tanzania. Truly it isn't that far but the roads are not that good and there are not that many so typically you are not traveling the most direct route. However, we arrived in Mwanza the next evening. It was a long bus ride but again many more places on the map were seen. The next post will be our venture from Mwanza back to Arusha. The second half of the adventure across the Serengeti, Ngorogo Crater to Home.
"O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust..." Psalm 7:1
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